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Manchester Arena bomb survivor takes paramedic who saved his life to watch Man United at Wembley

The two became friends following a documentary for TV covering the atrocity

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Martin Hibbert

A survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing has taken the paramedic who saved his life to watch Man United at Wembley, and will also take him to the final.

Martin Hibbert, 46, who was left paralysed after the attack took Paul Harvey to watch Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley and will also take him to watch the final in June.

The United supporters will go again together to watch their beloved team take on Manchester City in an epic derby for the FA Cup final on Saturday, June 3rd.

Martin was left paralysed following 22 shrapnel wounds which severed his spinal cord. The shrapnel also left his daughter Eve with a devastating brain injury.

Martin Hibbert

Martin now campaigns for people living with disabilities and has found a life-long friend in the paramedic who saved his life in the attack on the night of May 22nd 2017.

Shortly after the penalty shoot-out victory, Martin tweeted a picture of the two friends grinning broadly.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “It was a great day. It was the first time Paul was at Wembley as well. It was a really good day.”

Martin, a long-standing Red and season ticket holder, watched on with his friend Paul as United beat Brighton in a penalty shoot out.

Martin Hibbert

Their club’s victory means they can now head to London again to watch the first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final at Wembley stadium together.

Martin credits Paul with saving his life as he made the crucial decision to take him to Salford Royal Hospital to their trauma unit where he was administered a blood-clotting agent which prevented him from bleeding to death.

He said that had Paul followed instructions and taken him to Wythenshawe Hospital he would have died.

The two became friends following a documentary for TV covering the atrocity — where they also learned they were both United fans.

Martin Hibbert

Martin had Paul as a guest for a number of games at Old Trafford and promised, if they ever got there, he would take Paul to an FA Cup final.

Martin added: “It wasn’t just about football. It was about love and friendship and what good can come out of a bad night.”

As the Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, Martin climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year and has so far raised £910,000 of the £1 million target.

He is also lobbying government as he has discovered only one in three people who suffer spine injuries are referred to the charity as he was – he spent months at its clinic in Southport, one of 12 around the country.

“People are just left to rot – I find that unacceptable,” he said. Martin has already held positive talks with Tom Pursglove, the minister for disabled people, health and work.

He admitted the public inquiry into the atrocity – whose three reports were highly critical of the response of the emergency and security services – had been ‘hard to take’.

His said that since the bombing he had been back into hospital six times because his injuries left him vulnerable to infection.

“I never take anything for granted. One minute I’m OK and the next minute I can be blue-lighting it to Salford Royal with sepsis,” said Martin.

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Man arrested in connection with death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey

He has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, police say

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@georgegilbey / Instagram

A man has been arrested in connection to the death of television personality George Gilbey who died after suffering a fall at work.

Essex Police said it was called to an incident at a road in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, following a report that a man had fallen from a height while at work.

An air ambulance was in attendance but sadly, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

@georgegilbey / Instagram

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

Gilbey, a self-employed electricain, starred in eight series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox  alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Gilbey also Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2014, finishing fourth.

Channel 4 Gogglebox shared a statement on its official X account, saying: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Tributes from friends and fans have been pouring in online, as one person said: “Rest in peace George, thanks for all the laughs you gave me over the years. Bet Pete’s waiting for you with a pint xxx.”

Another wrote: “Thinking of your family. I’m so sorry to your mum especially. so much grief to deal with in such a short time the world can be so cruel.”

Celebrities have also been sharing tributes online after hearing the tragic news.

EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook shared a photo of Gilbey and his mum on Instagram, and wrote beside it: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted.”

In a post on X, former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, and Celebrity Big Brother co-star, wrote: “Breaks my (heart) but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”

And, Simon Minty wrote on Instagram: “So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed watching George. Condolences to Linda and family.” 

In the latest update, police said the arrested man was in his 40s and from the Witham area of Essex, and that further updates would be announced ‘proactively’. The force said he was arrested on ‘suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter’.

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Police issue urgent appeal to find missing man from Tameside

Have you seen David?

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Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent appeal to help find a man who was last seen in Tameside in the early hours of yesterday.

David, 40, was last seen on Sands Walk, Hyde, at around 12am on Wednesday March 27th.

He is believed to still have his mobile phone on him and to be somewhere in the Greater Manchester area, police say.

David is described as a white male, around 6 ft 2 ins tall, of slim build and a bald head with red facial hair. He also has tattoos on his arms and legs.

He was last seen wearing jeans, a black t-shirt and a black hoodie.

Anyone who has seen David or who may have any information about his whereabouts is urged to contact GMP on 0161 856 9325.

 

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey dies after fall from height at age 40

RIP George

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@georgegilbey / Instagram

Television personality George Gilbey who starred on Gogglebox has died after suffering a fall at work.

Essex Police said it was called to an incident at a road in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, following a report that a man had fallen from a height while at work.

An air ambulance was in attendance but sadly, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

@georgegilbey / Instagram

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

Gilbey starred in eight series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox  alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Gilbey also Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2014, finishing fourth.

Channel 4 Gogglebox shared a statement on its official X account, saying: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Tributes from friends and fans have been pouring in online, as one person said: “Rest in peace George, thanks for all the laughs you gave me over the years. Bet Pete’s waiting for you with a pint xxx.”

Another wrote: “Thinking of your family. I’m so sorry to your mum especially. so much grief to deal with in such a short time the world can be so cruel.”

Celebrities have also been sharing tributes online after hearing the tragic news.

EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook shared a photo of Gilbey and his mum on Instagram, and wrote beside it: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted.”

In a post on X, former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, and Celebrity Big Brother co-star, wrote: “Breaks my (heart) but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”

And, Simon Minty wrote on Instagram: “So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed watching George. Condolences to Linda and family.” 

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